A PAINTED GEORGE C. TILYOU (AMERICAN 1862-1914) SIGN FROM STEEPLECHASE PARK, CONEY ISLAND, CIRCA 1900
a large painted wood carved sign formed as a head depicting George C. Tilyou, with a large toothy grin with black hair and dark features; dimensions: 99 (h) x 79 (w) cm (39 x 31 1/8 in.)

LOT NOTES
George C. Tilyou was an amateur psychologist and founder of Steeplechase Park.
Tilyou came to the Brooklyn neighborhood of Coney Island in 1865 and Steeplechase Park opened in 1897. The first of three large amusement parks built on Coney Island, it operated until 1964. While a family-friendly destination, some "amusements" presented exhibitionist and risque undertones. The park was destroyed in a 1907 fire but quickly rebuilt. Following Tilyou’s death in 1914, the Steeplechase was operated by his children, who eventually sold it to the developer of Maimonides Park in 1964. A single ride, The Parachute Jump, however, remains as the only original portion of the former Park. An entrepreneur as well as philanthropist, Tilyou supported local orphanages, the Catholic Church and children’s hospitals, but his ultimate legacy was as a master showman who understood how people wanted to be entertained.